This one comes from a fantastic book by Ben Reed, who among other things, is an award winning bartender and bar manager, and is the mixologist who created the cocktail menu of the legendary Met hotel in London. This recipe, named after the hotel, was created by Ben himself and comes from his Cool Cocktails book – which is excellent.

The Metropolitan

2 oz. Absolut Kurrant Vodka
2 oz. triple sec
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. cranberry juice

Add all the ingredients to your cocktail shaker (filled with ice) and do that thing you love to do. Shake away, and then decant into a frosted martini glass. Me, I think the metal ones are swanky, but the glass onces stay colder longer (damn that science!).

Ben suggests garnishing with the following: squeeze the oil from a strip of orange zest, skin downward, over a flame. Rub the rim with the hot orange zest before dropping the drink in the glass.

Hey, if you’ve got the time, go for it. Me? I’m already mixing my next one, because DAMN, these things are GOOOOD.

Enjoy!